Comparative Predictive Validities of the American College Tests and Two Other Scholastic Aptitude Tests.

Munday, Leo

The predictive validity of the American College Testing Program's (ACT) Tests were compared with the College Entrance Examination Board's Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and the Educational Testing Service's School and College Ability Tests (SCAT) for a sample of 21 colleges and universities. Grades in specific courses as well as overall grade point averages were studied. The ACT and SAT tests exhibited about the same degree of predictive validity, and both were better predictors than the SCAT. Predictive results varied from school to school and from course subject to course subject, thereby suggesting that predictive validity for individual colleges and universities and for specific subject matter areas should be established. In addition, a college's choice between the ACT or SAT probably cannot be made on the basis of their relative predictive validities, but rather should be made on the basis of the total programs of services offered by the respective testing agencies. (Author)